Senior Living: Design for Life

Home Improvements Make Aging in Place a Reality for Seniors.

by Carla Firey Shives + photos by Ellen Baker
Published in Hagerstown Magazine
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Luxury bathrooms, updated kitchens and remodeled entryways are popular home improvements. But for the growing senior population, the new elements in these modernized renovations are designed to be more than just aesthetically pleasing. "As the Baby Boomers hit retirement age, they're looking for ways to modify their houses so they can stay in their homes rather than move to a nursing facility," says Mark V. Pelletier, CGR, CGP, Certified Aging in Place Specialist and owner of MV Pelletier Inc. in Frederick.

"I've noticed a trend in seniors choosing to age in place," agrees Katie Bowersox, senior designer with Frederick's JB Interiors, Inc., who suggests that the desire to live comfortably in familiar surroundings is a driving force behind this trend, in addition to the need to offset the increasingly expensive cost of care in a retirement facility.

Aspects of Aging
Aging can create a variety of physical challenges as seniors navigate their homes. Arthritis and joint problems, for example, can affect the ability to open drawers, reach into cabinets, or turn doorknobs. Even a basic task like showering can be a trial for seniors who have difficulty climbing in and out of a standard tub. Flooring can also present a problem, since "falling in the home is one of the major sources of injury for people over the age of 65," says Katie.

Decreased mobility — requiring the use of either a wheelchair or walker — is another major challenge for seniors who want to age in place. "Wheelchairs and walkers sometimes will not fit through doorways, and many times bathrooms are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair," says Vickie Hrabal, owner of Oak Hill Interior Design LLC in Hagerstown. Fortunately, there are many ways to redesign a home to make it more convenient for aging adults.

Modified for Convenience
Many elements of a house can be remodeled to create a safe environment for seniors who choose to age in place. In the bathroom, adults who find it difficult to climb in and out of a standard tub may opt to replace it with a walk-in shower. "You can also hire experts to cut open your tub to create a walk-in shower," says Natasha Arnall-Edmands, owner of Interiors of Maryland LLC in Funkstown. Adding non-slip stickers or a mat can help prevent slips and falls.

The kitchen is another room that typically needs renovating when seniors decide to age in place. "Levered faucets make it easier for folks who have arthritis," says Mark. Multiple counter heights can help accommodate homeowners in wheelchairs. Raised dishwashers and lowered cooking surfaces also can make life more convenient for aging adults.

Modifications in other rooms include adjusting doorway width, installing night-lights to prevent disorientation at night and adding wheelchair ramps to entryways. If arthritis is a challenge, light switches can be widened and doorknobs can be replaced with levered handles. Hard floors are often covered with carpet to reduce the risk of slipping.

Beauty Meets Function
Many seniors worry that the necessary modifications to their homes will be obtrusive and unattractive, "but I try to design the elements into the project without anyone knowing," says Mark. He's installed bathroom grab bars that simply appear to be decorative towel bars, as well as a front entrance wheelchair ramp that seamlessly blends into the house and surrounding landscape.

When Middletown resident Phyllis Thompson discovered that her husband, Bill, needed a wheelchair, she started looking for builders to redesign some aspects of her house. "I wanted him to come home and be able to live a full life in his own home," explains Phyllis. Her primary focus was the bathroom, because it needed major adjustments to accommodate Bill's new circumstances. With Mark's assistance, the Thompsons created a plan that helped transform their bathroom into a space that's practical for husband and wife, as well as extremely attractive. Many of the changes added both functionality and beauty. "There's a glass door on the shower that swings open for easy entry," explains Phyllis, "and a shower head that slides up and down a pole so it can be used whether you're seated or standing. It's just beautiful."

Even though Phyllis chose many products that are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, they're hidden in plain sight since they're cleverly disguised as elements of the home. "You'd never know from appearances that the house is handicap accessible," says Phyllis. In fact, everyone who is currently involved with a building or remodeling project may want to consider adding a few of these components to their homes. "I'm very active," says Phyllis, "so I don't really need these modifications. But I've found that they make my life much more convenient, too."